
The Last Refuge
A Survey of Residential Institutions and Homes for the Aged in England and Wales
Peter Townsend(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 31. May 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
278 pages
978-1-032-49942-0 (ISBN)
Description
First published in 1964, The Last Refuge originated from the author's visit to a Victorian workhouse which had become an Institution for old people. A visit that was to show frightful overcrowding in sparsely furnished dormitories. Day-rooms bleak and uninviting in which sat watery-eyed and feeble men, their spirit and pride drained away by the hopelessness of the surroundings. The many unexpected conditions Professor Townsend found led him to undertake this major enquiry into the question "Are communal homes for the aged necessary in our community and if so, what form should they take?" Visits were paid to a random sample of 173 residential institutions and homes, and welfare officers, matrons and elderly residents were interviewed. The general conclusion was that communal homes of the kind that existed in England and Wales did not adequately meet the physical, psychological and social needs of the old people living in them and required immediate alternative services and living arrangements. This book will be of interest to students of sociology, social care, public policy and gerontology.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Postgraduate
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
350 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-032-49942-0 (9781032499420)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Peter Townsend
The Last Refuge
A Survey of Residential Institutions and Homes for the Aged in England and Wales
E-Book
07/2023
1st Edition
Routledge
€39.49
Available for download

Peter Townsend
The Last Refuge
A Survey of Residential Institutions and Homes for the Aged in England and Wales
E-Book
07/2023
1st Edition
Routledge
€39.49
Available for download

Peter Townsend
The Last Refuge
A Survey of Residential Institutions and Homes for the Aged in England and Wales
Book
06/2023
1st Edition
Routledge
€148.56
Shipment within 10-20 days
Content
Acknowledgements 1. Objects and Methods of Study 2. History of the Institutional Care of the Aged 3. The Old Workhouse 4. The Local Authority Post-War Home 5. The Voluntary Home 6. The Private Home 7. Entering an Old People's Home 8. Incapacity for Self-care 9. Reasons for Admission 10. Some Effects Upon Old People of Living in Residential Homes 11. Developing Future Policy 12. Conclusion Appendix Selected References Index